loop knot ?

heard a few things about the infamous loop knot
one thing that seemed to be what held the conversation up
was the "fact" it always hooks them in the roof of the mouth
now I use it from time to time
but it isn't typically my preferred knot
I did notice this photo though
of what is most likely is a professional crappie person with a crappie on the jig
it sure enough seems from the photo
this fish was hooked in the lip to me
so lets hear what the forum thinks about this one more time
what are the advantages of this particular knot ?
and no I am not trying to stir up anything
just want to see some opinions on it

I use the looper and like it...

that fella Todd from Oklahoma likes it as well
and some folks I know use it all the time

Since I started using braid I've gone to the Palomar knot.

The loop knot is a good knot and I to know many that swear by it. I've heard it helps get that hook set in the hard spots in the roof of the mouth. I've never heard anyone claim the knot would get that hook set every time. That sounds like boat ramp talk.

The picture above is actually a great hook set and one I strive for. IMHO the hook set is thru the hard spot thru the roof of the mouth. I refer to that area as the nose. The lips are clearly seen and have the thin area around them. often revered to as paper.

Whatever knot you use if you can manage hook sets in that area the fish are less likely to get unbuttoned.

[video:youtube]BoneHead Slim Sticks: http://youtu.be/_SK66LvhHfY[/video]

I dont use the loop knot for one particular reason. Most crappie jigs tend to hang in more of a vertical position than a horizontal position. because of the weight ratio.
A knot that cinches down tight to the eye helps keep the jig more horizontal, and will catch more fish. Just my opinion.
I like the reverse clinch knot.

that there Palomar knot is a game changer with braid for sure Tommy
I learned that the hard way from a veteran angler myself
I tie 3 knots depending on several factors but my favorite in most cases is the improved clinch knot on mono
sometimes though with a tandem I use the loop knot on the upper jig
and with braid its like you say for sure on the Palomar knot

Some anglers even put a drop of super glue on the knot once it is cinched down tight on the eye to keep it from moving, baitfish dont swim thru the water like a seahorse in a vertical position.

+1

I found with braid that if you don't take a pair of pliers to the eye of each jig head to make sure the gap is completely closed the braid can and will slide right through that gap. Rather than take the time to close all gaps (lazy) I went to a Palomar. I don't know what it is for sure that's getting these good hook sets but I'm not changing a thing.

Good topic

I have seen some gaps a few times on the eyes myself
I do know one thing
if an eye isn't a clean circle you might very well have issues with that jig or hook
on several levels ....presentation suffers for sure
and the loss of a fish could easily occur as well after a hook up
sure isn't much that's more disheartening than to watch the line break when you have the fish "right there"
and or slip off the jig or hook itself during the struggle

I agree with Tommy.Those jigs will fall off easily on braid.Iuse to make sure my jig hung just right finally noticed it made no difference.Since crappy feed up then a jig hanging down would make it easier for them to swallow and it's always in the hard part of the mouth. Just my thought.Darrell

+10000000000000000
Been there done that "Braid = Palomar all the way for me".

+1

Yup some eyes aren't painted.



Crappie Porn

Saw that pic too. My first thought was a staged photo to show the jig ??

I still primarily use a polomar.I'll use a loop on the top jig if fishing a double rig.

Yup found the same thing. I to tried for that horizontal jig. I finally quit spending the time worrying about it when I noticed it made no difference dipping big baits. Can't get a big bait horizontal if you try.

Thanks DW. Your making me think the angle of the jig slightly dipping may just be the reason for the better hook set. I two pole mostly. I will check this theory out. Very cool. Sometimes we miss the subtle changes in style that others bring to our attention. very cool.

I am going to use the loop knot this year after watching the Russ Bailey Crappie videos. He never said anything about always catching thru the roof of the mouth other than to say if you are using a long sensitive jiggin' pole then when you feel the bite jerk hard like you would a bass and most of the time you will catch them in the roof of the mouth, also have your jig hook bent out a little, not straight like it comes in the package. The bottom jig I use regular cinch knot, upper one the loop knot. He said people take it easy because they have been taught the paper mouths tear easily so they lose more fish than those who jerk up hard. This jerking hard is only for jigs, not minnows or minnow with jigs. The sensitive pole will absorb the shock of setting the hook hard and your drag will handle the rest. Just something I read, thought you might be interested.

In tough cover, I use a palomar. The rest of the time, I use a loop.

The palomar is stronger, but if you're fishing vertically, you have to slide that palomar toward the back of the jig to get the jig sitting horizontally, like it should. Every time you give a pull on the line, you'll need to slide the palomar again.

With a loop knot, and a jig with good balance, the jig is always sitting at the horizontal position, just like you want.

I like the loop knot. If I can't hook em then I can just rope em!

I like the loop knot unless I'm fishing heavy brush in my slip

Being a former bass angler, its hard for me not to quickly and firmly set the hook. Some habits are hard to break. I think Tom's statement above makes total sense. Being a guide, the biggest problem I see for novice anglers is not setting the hook fast enough. To me, a fast hook set equals a firm or hard hook set- its almost impossible to set the hook fast and light because of the momentum of the rod. A reel with a good drag set at just the right amount will slip and not rip the hook out.

Reverse cinch is my knot of choice because of the speed in which I can tie one on.

I find that by opening the barb just a little thus exposing more of the hook, results in better hook sets no matter what knot.It`s just a little thing but makes a big difference

This is pretty much my experience also - at least with mono. I had terrible luck with loop knots on braid.

My jigs hang plenty horizontal enough to suit me on a loop knot and i think it gives them a little better action as well.
With a tight knot, I have to always pull it back down the eye, even on a missed bite or banging onto a piece of brush.

I'm bad about forgetting to do that each and every time. But of course with braid I don't have a choice so I have to remember.
If a loop knot would work on braid, I'd use it there too.

I'm not convinced that either one has an effect on where the fish get hooked because i've used both types enough to think that's not it. I think where they get hooked has more to do with how sharp the hook is (I'm anal about sharpening my hooks - even new ones)
And the other factor being how aggressive they are biting (sucking it in) a good hard jarring thump usually gets them in the roof of the mouth. A little barely perceptible thump is likely to be further out in their lips. I think a badly dull hook will hardly ever get them in the roof of their mouth.

Loop knot and good, balanced jig.. Then just leave the livewell lid open... lol

I know this seems to be focused on how jigs do or don't hang, but with live bait there is no comparison with the swimming action the loop allows the bait.

It seems to me a majority of my hits on jigs are on the fall or rise getting to depth or new depth which it is definitly not "hanging" anyway,,,. SO as simple minded as I am I use it on both almost exclusively and enjoy the simplicity and speed of rigging.

Good point, I see the same.. I think it's a confidence thing with me. With the loop knot, I know the jig is floating/hanging horizontal and that makes me more confident in fishing it....

With other knots I'm always checking it and re-adjusting it to hang the the way I like which results in less time getting thumped!

words of wisdom i think right there for sure sir
if you hang with me you will hear my drag give a lil bit on EVERY hook set
have been known to lift my feet off the deck on em if I am standing up
Mr. Rollins even had to ask me to ease up on em when I went with him
not that other knots don't work I just like that knot on mono
and I fish way more with 4 to 6 lb mono than braid
and yawl thought I was just kiddin round about the ....???
yep here it comes
KABOOM

Totally Agree Fishbonz.

I seldom use a loop knot except on the top hook of a double rig... basically I break loop knots too much fishing in heavy structure...improved clinch knot is my goto...

Knots are like jigs, there is a lot of them just learn to use the all. They all have there time and place.

I've been doing something wrong. With the various braids I've tried I"ve always used a loop knot and can't remember ever having one come undone. Broke lots of hooks and got in a hurry a few times and put a nasty cut on my hand trying to pull a jig free, but no knot failures. What am I doing wrong?

Well I don't know what you're doing wrong either but I sure would like to learn it so I can start doing mine wrong like you.
I'm going to try and find some illustration of what I'm tying and if you want to learn one that breaks real easy with braid, you can use mine.
Then if you want, maybe you can help me figure out what's different on yours? I'd sure appreciate it.

edit> OK that didn't take long. Turns out what I've been tying is actually called a dropper loop. dropper loop illustrated
I use it for both jigs if doing a tandem and trim the tag end off close on the bottom or if a single.

I'm guessing this probably is not the same loop knot you're using?

i like this loop knot.
i have used it with braid with no problems and its fast to tie .

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC3VeDWbr6E

thanks jeff, I'll give that one a try sure looks quick and easy to tie.

If your using painted heads with painted eyes you may have no problems if the paint is quality and cured correctly. If is not it'll chip from the eye and cause issues. The painted eye also fills the gap in eye. Hopefully it doesn't break free and expose the gap. I will not use heads with painted eyes unless I know they've been painted and cured correctly.